Kronos Worldwide (NYSE:KRO) Reaches New 1-Year Low - Here's Why

Kronos Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:KRO - Get Free Report)'s stock price reached a new 52-week low during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as low as $6.19 and last traded at $6.25, with a volume of 269760 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $6.56.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Kronos Worldwide from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 18th.

Kronos Worldwide Price Performance

The firm has a market cap of $800.65 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.59 and a beta of 1.21. The stock's fifty day moving average price is $8.09 and its 200-day moving average price is $9.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56, a current ratio of 2.68 and a quick ratio of 1.30.

Kronos Worldwide (NYSE:KRO - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, March 6th. The specialty chemicals company reported ($0.12) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.19 by ($0.31). The business had revenue of $423.10 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $494.19 million. Kronos Worldwide had a return on equity of 11.74% and a net margin of 5.05%.

Kronos Worldwide Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 20th. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 11th were paid a $0.05 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, March 11th. This represents a $0.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.87%. Kronos Worldwide's payout ratio is currently 27.03%.

Insider Activity

In other Kronos Worldwide news, Director Kevin B. Kramer acquired 14,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 11th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $7.43 per share, for a total transaction of $104,020.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now directly owns 21,460 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $159,447.80. This represents a 187.67 % increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 0.11% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Kronos Worldwide

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Federated Hermes Inc. bought a new position in shares of Kronos Worldwide during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS acquired a new position in Kronos Worldwide during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Aquatic Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Kronos Worldwide by 144.8% in the 4th quarter. Aquatic Capital Management LLC now owns 3,183 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 1,883 shares during the last quarter. State of Wyoming lifted its position in shares of Kronos Worldwide by 28.1% during the 4th quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 5,031 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $49,000 after buying an additional 1,105 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Caisse Des Depots ET Consignations acquired a new stake in Kronos Worldwide in the fourth quarter valued at about $54,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 15.11% of the company's stock.

Kronos Worldwide Company Profile

Kronos Worldwide, Inc produces and markets titanium dioxide pigments (TiO2) in Europe, North America, the Asia Pacific, and internationally. The company produces TiO2 in two crystalline forms, rutile and anatase to impart whiteness, brightness, opacity, and durability for various products, including paints, coatings, plastics, paper, fibers, and ceramics, as well as for various specialty products, such as inks, foods, and cosmetics.